By Chesney Hearst, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL- Five-time Grammy Award winner, Lady Gaga is to make her Rio debut at Parque Dos Atletas (Olympic Park City of Rock) in Barra da Tijuca on Friday, November 9th. In Brazil, it has been a long wait for Gaga fans, known as “little monsters”, to see the entertainer live in concert.
Since her first massive hit singles “Just Dance” and “Pokerface” rocketed her to stardom in 2008, the singer-songwriter has toured the world with critically acclaimed performances, but has never played Brazil until now.
“Gaga is the definition of something different in the pop world. She can be as great a singer as Adele or an amazing dancer like Shakira, but she is different, her songs are not only about love, sex and a dance floor,” says Brazilian little monster and make-up/fx designer, Dalton Muniz Rangel.
The ongoing “Born This Way Ball” world tour has been in support of Gaga’s second full length studio album of the same name, however this is the first tour to include parts of South America and Rio de Janeiro as the first stop in continent.
The show brings an elaborate set design featuring a Gothic castle complete with turrets and balconies that reportedly takes seven hours to assemble at each venue. The set also includes holograms, motorcycles, a meat couch, mechanical horse, floating head and a giant inflatable from which Gaga emerges.
Lady Gaga performs with a phalanx of back-up dancers and makes fourteen costumes changes during the show.
The event was hailed as “An extravaganza in every sense” that will be “remembered as a benchmark tour” by Sean Sennet of The Australian.
“The Haus of Gaga and I have worked for months conceiving a spectacular stage,” Lady Gaga said in a statement before the tour begin, the Born This Way Ball is an Electro-Metal Pop-Opera; the tale of the Beginning, the genesis of the Kingdom of Fame. How we were birthed and how we will die celebrating.”
One special feature of this tour that has caused fans to celebrate is the “Monster Pit”. A sectioned off area in front of the stage, Gaga explained by tweeting,”The Monster Pit is general admission only, and little monsters unlock it when they arrive to the arena or stadium.”
Adding later that, “entry to the Monster Pit is relegated to the fans who have arrived first, waited all night, [plus] dressed to ‘Ball’.”
“What I love most about her is her different way of seeing the world,” concludes Dalton Muniz Rangel, “And all I want right now is to finally see her from the Monster Pit. That’s why I am even planning to wear burnt zombie/half body make-up.”
Gates will open at 5PM and Lady Gaga is expected to begin at 10PM with Lady Starlight as an opening act. The show is estimated to last two hours.
Tickets are still available and cost R$750 for the track premium, R$350 for runway common and R$180 for the orange zone. Special bus routes will run to and from the show with additional security and emergency personnel inside and in surrounding areas.